Commencing
A daughter of a college teacher, I also worked in higher education for much for my career. So, being aware of college "commencement season" is ingrained in me. As colleges celebrate their graduates this year, I got to thinking about the ongoing commencements we all make, whether we're starting a new job, moving into a new stage as parents, or making other major life changes. The word commencement, of course, comes from Old French "comencier" which means to begin. One of the most frequent questions I hear from clients is "where do I begin?" in the job search. Here are 3 thoughts on how you might commence your own career journey:
1. Clarify your values
There are many ways to do this, but my favorite resource at the moment comes from The Squiggly Career authors, Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis. "If you are able to live out your values at work and express them openly, you will feel more comfortable and confident as well as be more productive," they write (p. 47). You can purchase the book itself, listen to their podcast, or access a video book.
2. Identify your non-negotiables
These should develop from your values and there should only be a few. Maybe you cannot commute more than an hour because of family needs, for example. Maybe family is one of your strongest values. Once you identify these non-negotiables, stay open to changing your mind or modulating your view. It could be that a value of learning means that you have to commute a little further, for example. Consider both non-negotiables and your values (which are likely linked), but allow yourself the flexibility to understand which value takes precedence at which particular time in your life.
3. Bolster your network
Finally, strengthen your network. This means connecting with your current and former colleagues, friends past and present, and family members on LinkedIn. If the worst that can happen is that they ignore your connection request, you can do this. Feeling awkward about something is not a reason not to do it. Let people know you are looking for work, and ask about what they do. An informational interview isn't an opportunity to ask for a job, it's a chance to learn what another person does for work and what they enjoy about it. It's a chance to make another connection with a human. Networking, to me, is never about attending large events and working a room, something even this extrovert finds unappealing (and, frankly, not that useful).
So happy commencement season — whether you're cheering on a graduate or beginning a job search yourself.
